The Improvement Service (IS) is the national improvement organisation for local government in Scotland.

Our purpose is to help councils and their partners to improve the health, quality of life and opportunities of all people in Scotland through community leadership, strong local governance and the delivery of high quality, efficient local services.

Through a series of principles, the IS works to promote improvement in local government and among its partners to support them improve outcomes and reduce the outcome gaps within populations and within areas.

Latest Publication

We produce a small number of independent research pieces or publications each year, which are listed below. This is in addition to our programme and project-specific publications which can be found on the relevant pages within our Products and Services sections.

Latest Publications

​As well as news from the Improvement Service other news relevant to local government improvement in Scotland. is also published. The Improvement Service welcomes contributions from Scottish local authorities and partner organisations. If you have a story you would like to share, contact us.

Find out about all the events and activities organised by the Improvement Service or of interest to Scottish local authorities here. If you would like to add an event to this calendar, please contact info@improvementservice.org.uk

You can quickly browse events from the calendar opposite, or go to the events page for full details of all events.

Life Outcome

Measure

Early Years

Children have the best start in life, so that they have equal opportunities to succeed.

Children are safe and nurtured, and have the life skills, confidence and opportunities to reach their potential.

Young people are ready for life and work.

1. Percentage of babies at healthy birth weight

2. Body Mass Index (BMI) of Primary 1 school children

3. S4 tariff score

4. Percentage of school leavers in positive and sustained destinations

Older People

Older people are independent for longer and able to stay in their own homes as long as they wish.

5. Emergency hospital admissions per 100,000 population (65+)

Employment and Economic Growth

Employment opportunities for all.

People have satisfying, secure and suitable work.

People live in a community with a thriving, expanding economy.

People have the means to support themselves and their families with a standard of living that enables them to participate in society after paying all necessary bills.

6. Employment rate

7. Median earnings for residents in local authority area who are employed

8. Percentage of population (aged 16-64) in receipt of out-of-work benefits

9. Percentage of children in poverty

10. Survival of newly-born enterprises (3 year survival)

Safer and Stronger Communities

People live in resilient, responsible and safe communities.People in vulnerable circumstances are protected.

Community and public understand the role/place of public services.

People feel engaged and feel they can influence their community.

People do not feel isolated or lonely.

11. Rate of recorded crimes per 10,000 population

12. Total dwelling fires per 100,000 population

Health and Wellbeing

People live happy and healthy lives with a healthy life expectancy.

People who need care are supported to live independently and confidently.

Positive end of life

13. Mortality rates per 100,000 for people aged under 75 in Scotland

14. Average score on the short version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS)

15. Unplanned emergency hospital attendances

Environment

People live in attractive, welcoming environments. People take pride in and look after their environment.